VCBet 2005/2006 Premiership odds

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho found the secret to winning the Premiership title at the first time of asking and at 5/6 bookies VCBet appear to be taking no chances with the West Londoners. Petr Cech proved himself one of the world's finest keepers last season and with a defence led by inspirational skipper, John Terry, Mourinho's side rarely give anything away at the back. The midfield looks just as strong with Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard capable of matching any central unit in the Premiership and out on the flanks the combination of Damien Duff and Arjen Robben can be lethal. Up front is where the champions appear lacklustre but that didn't stop them running away with the league last season. And with Roman Abramovich's huge spending power - a Shevchenko or a Ronaldinho is only ever round the corner. 95 points from 38 games is about as impressive as it gets and with a season's worth of winning experience under their belt, there are many who believe the Blues can only get better. But Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt have something to say about that! A fit again Thierry Henry will bag a shed-load of goals yet again and the mercurial Frenchman has already vowed to deliver the title to the North Bank faithful in the club's final season at Highbury. The Gunners came screaming out of the blocks last season with 19 goals in their opening five games and there is no denying that they are capable of scoring very heavily when they hit form. Certainly, if they start the new campaign like that, their current quote of 5/2 will shorten faster than an Henry backflick. But critics argue that Wenger's squad looks lightweight when key men Henry, Patrick Vieira and Sol Campbell are suspended or injured and it should be noted that the likes of Freddie Ljungberg, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires are not getting any younger. The Glazer family's take over at Old Trafford has caused an almighty furore off the pitch but on it the Red Devils look in decent shape. The arrival of the proven Edwin Van der Saar should remedy the side's horrendous goalkeeping problems and the prospect of a maturing Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo terrorising opposing defences is something for their fans to really savour. Their current quote of 3/1 looks tasty if they can be relied to put their off field problems behind them. If the bookies' prices are any guide then Arsenal and United are Chelsea's only realistic challengers but that's a slap in the face for reigning European Champions, Liverpool, who VC Bet quote at 20/1. The amazing summer u-turn of Steve Gerrard was an enormous boost to their title hopes and with some exciting summer signings from the Iberian Peninsula, Rafael Benitez's squad heads into the season in great shape. Their European quest proved they can beat anyone on their day and if Benitez can keep his key men free from injury there is every reason to believe that the Reds can go close. Premiership 2005/6 outrights Chelsea 5/6 Arsenal 5/2 Man Utd 3/1 Liverpool 20/1 Newcastle 150/1 Tottenham 150/1 Everton 150/1 Aston Villa 250/1 Middlesbrough 300/1 Man City 300/1 Bolton 300/1 Blackburn 500/1 Birmingham 500/1 Charlton 1,000/1 Fulham 1,250/1 Portsmouth 1,250/1 Sunderland 1,500/1 West Ham 2,000/1 West Brom 2,500/1 Wigan 3,000/1 EW 1/3 1,2.